A new Whole Foods store is opening in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard.

A new Whole Foods store is opening in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard.

Photo: Copyright Tony Bullard 2014, Freelance Photographer

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Whole Foods store members practice preparing char-grilled chicken to be ready for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard. less

Whole Foods store members practice preparing char-grilled chicken to be ready for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony ... more

Photo: Copyright Tony Bullard 2014, Freelance Photographer

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Whole Foods store members check the dairy cooler in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard.

Whole Foods store members check the dairy cooler in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard.

Photo: Copyright Tony Bullard 2014, Freelance Photographer

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Some shelves are fully stocked in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard.

Some shelves are fully stocked in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard.

Photo: Copyright Tony Bullard 2014, Freelance Photographer

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Rendell Thompson (cq) (Whole Foods grocery team leader) stocks the shelves with BBQ sauce in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard. less

Rendell Thompson (cq) (Whole Foods grocery team leader) stocks the shelves with BBQ sauce in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, ... more

Photo: Copyright Tony Bullard 2014, Freelance Photographer

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Jonathan Jardin (cq) (graphic artist) works on the labels in the candy aisle in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard. less

Jonathan Jardin (cq) (graphic artist) works on the labels in the candy aisle in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo ... more

Photo: Copyright Tony Bullard 2014, Freelance Photographer

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David Hollie (cq) (Dallas store member) checks the dairy cooler in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony Bullard. less

David Hollie (cq) (Dallas store member) checks the dairy cooler in preparation for the opening of a new Whole Foods grocery store in the Champions area. Photographed Saturday June 21, 2014. Photo by Tony ... more

Whole Foods Market has joined an active grocery market in northwest Houston.

The grocery, at 10133 Louetta Road near the Cutten Road intersection, opened Wednesday, June 25.

Founded in 1980 in Austin, has been expanding in new and existing markets throughout the nation. Now, the Austin-based chain is opening its first North Houston store.

"The community has been asking for a store in North Houston, and we have been working hard to make that happen," Jeanette Webster, Houston media and relations coordinator for the retailer, said in an email.

The full-service grocery store features 44,180 square feet of space filled with items specific to Houston and its surrounding communities. Webster said the store will have more than 1,300 locally sourced items with more than 200 local producers hand-picked by a local forager.

"We are committed to supporting local farmers, producers and artisans by buying locally and continuously working with local producers to bring new products across all departments," Webster said.

The company has a continued focus on providing local and fresh items, Webster said. The food sold throughout the store does not have any artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives or hydrogenated fats.

Just as the products are personalized to each store, so are the amenities.

The Champions store will feature a station where shoppers can juice their own fruits and another where they can create their own salmon burgers, Webster said.

The store will have a large chocolate section, which includes a variety of sustainable, fair trade and unique items.

Shoppers also can take advantage of the in-store beer and wine bar with 16 beer taps and the community-style wine and chilling station where they can sample wine.

Prepared food also will be for sale, including at the made-to-order sandwich station, the on-site sushi station and the wood fired pizza ovens.

"We have always believed that quality and transparency are very important and that educating our customers about natural and organic foods, health, nutrition and the environment is part of satisfying and delighting our guests," Webster said.

Whole Foods Market will be located in the Vintage Marketplace shopping center with several other businesses set to open this month, including Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa and Kriser's.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, Jersey Mike's Subs and Verts Kebap are in the same center and already are open. It's just a few blocks east of an H-E-B grocery in another Vintage shopping center.

Store team leader Erica Gentry has worked for Whole Foods Market for 17 years, and this store opening has been one of her career highlights, she said. Preparing for the opening has been seamless, she said, because the staff is eager to greet the customers.

"Every day I walk into the building there's a little more done here and there," Gentry said. "It's been amazing to see all pieces come together and evolve into this beautiful place."

"Consumer businesses such as Whole Foods move into an area based on economic factors that exist there. They would not want to enter a market that cannot support the high-end products available at Whole Foods."